Cover ‘In the Mood for Being Food’ at the ’Design Ah!’ exhibition at M+, running through July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of M+)
‘In the Mood for Being Food’ at the ’Design Ah!’ exhibition at M+, running through July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of M+)
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From rare literary manuscripts at ‘The Little Prince’ exhibition and avant-garde solo art showcases to award-winning dance shows, Hong Kong’s arts calendar in July promises rich inspiration.
July brings a convergence of global perspectives and homegrown heritage to Hong Kong’s cultural venues. Art connoisseurs can explore the retrospective of respected calligrapher Wong Kwan Shut at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Nearby, M+ stages the viral exhibition Design Ah!, which celebrates overlooked creative designs in our daily lives.
Meanwhile, the local performing arts landscape leaps forward with epic seasonal finales, boundary-pushing contemporary dance inspired by twentieth-century ink masters, and virtuosic musical programs that reframe ancient instruments through contemporary cross-cultural lenses.
For literary enthusiasts and families, global phenomena arrive on local shores with historically significant artifacts, such as ‘The Little Prince and the Pilot’ which is now presenting the author’s original manuscripts and drafts at HKU’s art museum.
Whether you are looking to reflect on fragmented personal memories or discover the hidden artistry embedded within everyday household objects, these absolute must-visit events offer sophisticated, uplifting escapes designed to inspire cultural explorers of all generations.
1. Wayne McGregor: On the Other Earth
Above ‘Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth’ (2026), performed by Company Wayne McGregor, which is showing in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Company Wayne McGregor)
‘Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth’ (2026), performed by Company Wayne McGregor, which is showing in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Company Wayne McGregor)
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When: Until August 2, 2026
Where: 1/F, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, Central
What: Celebrated British choreographer Wayne McGregor, recipient of this year’s Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award, collaborates with the Hong Kong Ballet and Hong Kong Baptist University to present a boundary-pushing production that redefines the theatrical viewing experience. Staged inside Tai Kwun as a fully immersive installation, where visitors don specialised goggles to watch an avant-garde virtual performance. The work playfully subverts conventional spatial design and introduces fluid, unexpected movements that transcend the structural limitations of a traditional proscenium stage.
2. Phantom(’s) Presence
Above ‘The Top Bunk’ (2026) by Shimon Kamada, shown at Podium’s exhibition in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Podium gallery and the artist)
‘The Top Bunk’ (2026) by Shimon Kamada, shown at Podium’s exhibition in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Podium gallery and the artist)
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When: Until August 29, 2026
Where: Podium, Wong Chuk Hang
What: Podium presents Rotterdam-based Japanese artist Shimon Kamada’s inaugural career solo exhibition. Drawing from personal photographic archives spanning his childhood and teenage years in Japan, Kamada creates ethereal realms where imagery overlaps like fragmented memories. Moving between domestic settings, hometown streets and surreal dreamscapes, each composition is bathed in skewed light, psychological tension and melancholic shadows. The enigmatic narratives beautifully capture the fragile, elusive nature of remembrance.
3. Joyful Encounters: The Connoisseurship and Art of Wong Kwan Shut
Above A calligraphy work by Wong Kwan Shut, shown at ‘Joyful Encounters: The Connoisseurship and Art of Wong Kwan Shut’, which is running in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Hong Kong Palace Museum)
A calligraphy work by Wong Kwan Shut, shown at ‘Joyful Encounters: The Connoisseurship and Art of Wong Kwan Shut’, which is running in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of Hong Kong Palace Museum)
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When: Until September 30, 2026
Where: Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District
What: This major retrospective traces the legacy of late scholar-artist, calligrapher and connoisseur Wong Kwan Shut. Marking his passing on April 10, 2026 at age 93, the showcase is built upon an invaluable donation of 68 works gifted to the museum by Wong and his spouse, Wong Pong Chi-ying. The exhibition highlights his defining style alongside classical Chinese pieces from his private collection.
4. The Little Prince and the Pilot
Above Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s sketch of The Little Prince, which is displayed at ‘The Little Prince and the Pilot’ in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of HKU and French May)
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s sketch of The Little Prince, which is displayed at ‘The Little Prince and the Pilot’ in July 2026 (Image: courtesy of HKU and French May)
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When: Until October 18, 2026
Where: 1/F, T T Tsui Building, UMAG, HKU, Pokfulam
What: Celebrating the 80th anniversary of The Little Prince in France, this collaborative exhibition explores the extraordinary life of aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Rare photographs, original manuscripts, letters and personal items paint a rich portrait of the explorer whose real adventures inspired his masterpiece. The display features a Hong Kong-exclusive layout of colourful character sculptures perfect for capturing memories.
5. Design Ah! Experience the Wonder of Everyday Design
Above ‘S-S-O-T’ at the ’Design Ah!’ exhibition at M+, running through July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of M+)
‘S-S-O-T’ at the ’Design Ah!’ exhibition at M+, running through July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of M+)
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When: Until January 10, 2027
Where: M+, West Kowloon
What: Based on the beloved children’s educational television programme Design Ah! Neo by Japan’s television channel NHK, this family-friendly interactive exhibition re-envisions ordinary household items. Featuring 21 creative stations structured around 10 daily actions, the installation prompts visitors to play with objects like toothbrushes and chopsticks. Several stations directly reference the unique culinary traditions and visual environments of Hong Kong.
6. Season Finale: Tarmo Peltokoski Conducts Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony
Above From left: Andrè Schuen, Chen Reiss and Tarmo Peltokoski, who will be performing in a July concert (Photo: courtesy of the HKPhil)
From left: Andrè Schuen, Chen Reiss and Tarmo Peltokoski, who will be performing in a July concert (Photo: courtesy of the HKPhil)
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When: July 3 and 4, 2026
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s music director designate Tarmo Peltokoski concludes his season with an expansive musical odyssey. The programme pairs Salonen’s introspective Pollux—inspired by the Gemini constellation—with Vaughan Williams’s magnificent A Sea Symphony, which sets the seafaring poetry of Walt Whitman. The performance features soprano Chen Reiss, bass-baritone Andrè Schuen, the State Choir LATVIJA, Tenebrae and the HK Phil Chorus.
7. Cavalry
Above ‘Cavalry’, which will be shown in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of Chinese Culture Festival)
‘Cavalry’, which will be shown in Hong Kong in July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of Chinese Culture Festival)
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When: July 3 and 4, 2026
Where: The Hall, East Kowloon Cultural Centre, 60 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Ngau Tau Kok
What: Making history as the first large-scale original dance drama in Chinese stage art to focus on the cavalry, this production uses vigorous choreography to pay tribute to historically indomitable cavalrymen. Divided into six narrative acts, the first half explores the choices of the hero, Chuluu, who joins the Inner Mongolian people’s cavalry alongside his fearless horse, Galaa. The second half highlights the unwavering loyalty of these war horses, with dancers skillfully mimicking animal movements such as tumbling and jumping. The production—which won the prestigious China Dance Lotus Award in 2020—powerfully illustrates the unbreakable bonds forged in times of war.
8. The Silence We Carry
Above ‘The Silence We Carry’ by Hong Kong Dance Company, which will be shown in in July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of HKDC)
‘The Silence We Carry’ by Hong Kong Dance Company, which will be shown in in July 2026 (Photo: courtesy of HKDC)
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When: July 3 to 5, 2026
Where: Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
What: Inspired by the pioneering artistic philosophy of Wu Guanzhong, one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century art, Hong Kong Dance Company presents an immersive multi-sensory production. The performance establishes a cross-temporal dialogue where expressive dance, music and shifting layers of painterly imagery interweave.
9. Zhang Ying & Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Above Chinese pipa player Zhang Ying will perform with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra at a July concert (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
Chinese pipa player Zhang Ying will perform with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra at a July concert (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
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When: July 5, 2026
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
What: Celebrated Chinese musician Zhang Ying showcases the cross-cultural hybridity of the pipa, an ancient instrument originating in Persia that traveled via the Silk Road. Traversing past and present, the repertoire moves from Confucian traditions in Spring and Autumn to the heroic spirit of Hua Mulan, concluding with the vibrant cross-cultural rhythms of rhapsodies of Latin America.
10. Shigeo Otake: Agoraphilia
Above ‘The Magnate’ by Shigeo Otake, which is shown at White Cube Hong Kong’s July exhibition (Image: courtesy of the artist and White Cube)
‘The Magnate’ by Shigeo Otake, which is shown at White Cube Hong Kong’s July exhibition (Image: courtesy of the artist and White Cube)
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When: July 10 to August 29, 2026
Where: White Cube, Central
What: White Cube presents Shigeo Otake’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Informed by four decades of figurative painting—which initially began with meticulous scientific studies of parasites—Otake’s dense tempera works explore the Greek concept of the agora, or gathering place. His highly populated scenes utilise anthropomorphic figures and botanical forms to examine consumerism and sociality.
11. Hong Kong Book Fair
Above The Hong Kong Book Fair will return this July (Photo: courtesy of HKTDC)
The Hong Kong Book Fair will return this July (Photo: courtesy of HKTDC)
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When: July 15 to 21, 2026
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
What: Operating under the theme “Cultural Legacy, Joyful Journeys”, this year's book fair features over 600 cultural events, including a dedicated Asean Literary Festival. Renowned international and Chinese-language authors, such as Su Tong, Bi Feiyu, Liu Zhenyun and British poet Luke Kennard, will host seminars alongside corporate leaders like McKinsey’s Greater China chairman Joe Ngai.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
